News

Kings News

Lombardi Makes Strong Case For Doughty's Norris Push

by
Alex Kinkopf
/ Los Angeles Kings

In speaking with the media on Tuesday afternoon, General Manager Dean Lombardi was asked to share his thoughts regarding Drew Doughty’s Norris Trophy candidacy, and where he believes the Kings’ defenseman stands among those in-line to win the award given to the NHL’s top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.

He had his answer lined up, all right.

Elliot Teaford, who covers the Kings for the Southern California News Group, asked Lombardi why he should vote for Doughty to win the Norris:

“Not even close. All you’ve got to do is stay up and watch West Coast games, and you’ll know why, and I won’t even have to explain it to you.”

“You know what the beauty of that position is? It’s the classic case where greatness is the subtleties. And that No. 1 defenseman, what makes him special? Unless you really understand the game and see some of the things he does, you have to study the game, not watch the game, and realize what he does is really special, and has nothing to do with highlights and the points and all of this stuff.”

“Every general manager knows it. Ninety-nine percent of players know it. …It’s not the highlight-film position. It’s not supposed to be, and then we turned it (into one) because Paul Coffey, I guess, pulled it off. But at least Paul Coffey was also in the playoffs. And this stuff that (Doughty) plays for a better team? How good do you think we are without him? How about the other way around? So don’t even get me going on that.”